As no one claims responsibility for its removal, a pile ofgarbage and rubbish has produced a “Mexican standoff” on herstreet, says a frustrated Drury Lane resident.

Clyde Reeves estimated the pile of garbage, which includes anold mattress, a couch, a campaign sign and other items, had beenacross the street near the railroad tracks for two months. And shethinks that estimate is “on the short side.”

“I believe it’s been there longer,” Reeves said.

Gulf States Mobile Home Park owner E.B. Sanders and some parkresidents who live near the pile also indicated concern. But, theydid not know who placed the garbage on the street, although somepark residents were suspected.

Sanders, who lives in Louisiana, said the city had picked upgarbage from the location in the past and he did not know why thatwould change now.

“We’re paying a lot of taxes,” Sanders said, indicating possiblecity responsibility.

James Arnold, Brookhaven Sanitation Department superintendent,said the park has city water service but does not pay for garbagedisposal. Arnold said city crews had picked up the garbage in thepast by mistake.

For the city to remove the pile, Arnold said there would be a$38.50 charge for use of a loader and $33 a ton for disposal at thetransfer station. Some individual items, such as a couch or amattress, may be picked up on a $5 per item basis, payable when theitem is removed.

The mobile home park has a private dumpster contract withBFI.

“That doesn’t have anything to do with the garbage on thestreet,” Sanders said.

A BFI official said the contract covers household garbage andcustomers are responsible for getting garbage into the dumpster. Hesaid garbage truck drivers are prohibited from getting out to pickup items.

Reeves, who has lived at 409 Drury Lane since 1949, said sheremembers when there was only one house across from hers in theneighborhood. The area was taken into the city in 1953 and progressfollowed, she said.

Community appearance and the spreading of the garbage wereconcerns Reeves raised. The pile was added to while Reeves was outof town for two weeks recently, she said.

“It’s blowing. It’s all over the railroad track,” Reeves said.”The smaller pieces have blown as far as (Lipsey) school.”

Sanders said he would try to contact Mayor Bill Godbold aboutthe situation.

Reeves said she had spoken with the mayor about the garbage andshe understood the city’s position. But, the garbage service isalso not picking up the pile.

“Somebody’s got to pick it up sooner or later, rather than it bea Mexican standoff,” Reeves said.

Reeves said she was hoping for an amicable resolution to gettingthe garbage removed. However, she said she would go to the stateDepartment of Environmental Quality if necessary.

“I just want the thing out of my sight,” Reeves said.